By Henry Uche
Mercy Ogbuehi Widows & Orphans Foundation has offered free medical services, sure gift that enable people to shop for free and other items to newly trained widows and orphans at the end of its graduation and Christmas party.
A statement from the foundation affirmed that the widows, orphans, and other less privileged members of the community received shoes, sandals, fabrics, bags, clothing, kitchen utensils, and other freebies.
Founded by Barrister Nnenna Uchegbu in honor of her late mother, Mercy Lolo Ogbuehi, the foundation has bridged the gap among widows, orphans, and the less privileged in a world where the less fortunate often go unnoticed, a testament to the power of kindness and generosity.
Late Lolo Mercy Ogbuehi was a woman who embodied generosity in its purest form. “She was accommodating, charitable, and homely,” said the foundation’s secretary, Oladipupo Uchechukwu Stephen. “She welcomed children who were not her own and ensured no one left her small buka (local restaurant) hungry.”
Her buka, situated in a remote town somewhere in Abia State, Nigeria became more than a place for meals; it was a haven for the community. Mercy’s innate ability to care for others, especially the less privileged, became the cornerstone of her daughter’s vision.
Barrister Nnenna sought to expand on her mother’s acts of kindness, creating a foundation dedicated to uplifting widows, orphans, and the less privileged.
One of the foundation’s unique goals is its emphasis on empowerment through education and skill acquisition.
As Oladipupo explained, “We don’t just equip people with what to eat; we teach them how to get what to eat. It’s the essence of the proverb: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Since its inception, the foundation has been running free skill acquisition programs, beginning with two classes in catering and industrial training in 2017. Today, the programs have expanded to include seven to eight fields, such as fashion design, shoemaking, hairdressing, computer literacy, and more.
Graduates of these programs are equipped not just with knowledge but with tools to jumpstart their careers. Participants in fashion design receive sewing machines, those with computer literacy are given brand-new laptops, and catering graduates are provided with essential equipment or startup funds.
“This December 19th marks our 15th graduation ceremony,” Oladipupo proudly noted. “We’ll empower widows with sewing machines and others with tools and funds to bring their skills to life.”
Over the past seven years, the foundation has grown into a hub of opportunity for many. Its focus on sustainability ensures that participants not only acquire skills but also build livelihoods that last.
The foundation also caters to the younger generation through its annual summer coaching programs. These sessions are open to orphans and children from the community, offering educational support that goes beyond the classroom. “This is not just for children within the foundation but for all children in the community,” Oladipupo affirmed.
Beyond education and skills training, the foundation recognizes the importance of healthcare for the less privileged. Friday Ogbuehi, one of the Foundation’s Directors, noted their impactful medical outreach programs.
“Our medical outreach aims to attend to about 350 beneficiaries, primarily widows and orphans,” Friday shared. These outreaches offer services like pulse, blood pressure, and blood sugar monitoring, as well as massages, dental care, and free medications. “We ensure that every participant leaves healthier and more informed about their well-being.”
He added “What began as a small gesture of kindness in a local buka has grown into a robust foundation impacting lives in numerous ways. The foundation not only supports immediate needs but also builds a future for the underprivileged through empowerment and education. Through the foundation, we are honouring my mother’s legacy by creating a lasting impact,”
Since its inception, the Foundation has provided free skill acquisition programs, empowering individuals with knowledge and tools.